Aquilina Wawira MwandikoResearch profile
Aquilina Wawira Mwandiko

Geospatial Intelligence, Climate Resilience & ESG Researcher

Applied geospatial research for climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable investment decisions.

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Bensheim, Germany · +49 152 10737089 · aquilinawawiram@gmail.com · Available immediately

Portrait of Aquilina Wawira Mwandiko
Research statement

Where spatial evidence meets investment decisions

Over 15+ years I have applied GIS, satellite data and field surveys to climate resilience and infrastructure in 12+ countries. My flood mapping of all 17 districts of Mogadishu became the basis for prioritising drainage investments, and I screened about 100 solar mini-grid sites for Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Energy.

My MSc in Geographic Information Systems (University of Nairobi) used climate and geospatial data to project run-off in Nairobi County. My MBA thesis at Hochschule Darmstadt (submitted October 2026, results pending) developed geospatial ESG risk-scoring dashboards for renewable energy portfolios in Germany, aligned with CSRD/ESRS and LkSG.

Through my work evaluating AI models on surveying and GIS reasoning, I have seen how confidently these models can be wrong about space. This drives my interest in reliable, explainable GeoAI for decisions that matter.

Education

  • MBA candidate, Hochschule Darmstadt, Oct 2024 – Jan 2027 (expected); thesis results pending
  • MSc Geographic Information Systems, University of Nairobi, 2016 – 2019
  • BTech Geoinformation Technology, Technical University of Kenya, 2013 – 2015
  • Diploma in Cartography, Kenya Institute of Surveying and Mapping, 1997 – 1999
Proposed doctoral research direction

Integrating Geospatial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and ESG Risk Assessment for Climate-Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure

A proposed direction, open to refinement with a supervisor.

1. Hazard and exposure

How can satellite and GIS data measure climate hazards such as flood, heat and wind for renewable energy sites?

2. AI-supported screening

Can GeoAI models score site risk reliably, and how should their errors be measured?

3. From risk to decision

How can spatial risk scores feed ESG reporting (CSRD/ESRS) and investment choices?

4. Decision support

What dashboards help authorities and investors act on this evidence?

Research outputs

Outputs and applied research

Somalia · World Bank

Flood risk mapping, Mogadishu

Satellite flood mapping of 17 districts, verified with engineers and communities, used to prioritise drainage investment.

Sierra Leone · UNOPS

Solar mini-grid site screening

An ArcGIS platform comparing about 100 candidate sites, later extended with baseline, midline and endline survey data.

Hochschule Darmstadt · 2026

Geospatial ESG risk scoring (MBA thesis)

QGIS and Power BI dashboards scoring climate and ESG risk for renewable energy portfolios in Germany.

Publications and media

Methods

Methods and tools

ArcGIS Pro / OnlineQGISGoogle Earth EngineSAR flood mappingCatchment and run-off modellingSite suitability analysisDrone and LiDAR dataPythonSQLPower BIODK and QField field dataAI model evaluationCommunity consultations
Referees

Academic and professional referees

Contact details are shared on request.

Prof. Dr. Prof. h.c. Ralf Schellhase

Professor of Marketing; MBA Director

Hochschule Darmstadt · Germany

MBA thesis supervisor

Dr.-Ing. David N. Siriba, MISK (LS)

Senior Lecturer, Geospatial & Space Technology

University of Nairobi · Kenya

Academic referee (MSc GIS)

Mr Tim Lardner

Regional Director, Europe & Central Asia

UNOPS · Switzerland

Former line manager

Mr Dietmar Fischer

Managing Director

VIOLA HQMC GmbH · Germany

Current supervisor

Let's talk

Bensheim, Germany · available immediately
+49 152 10737089 · aquilinawawiram@gmail.com

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